South Whitehall commissioners have authorized Police Chief Glen Dorney to purchase 22 portable tri-band radios at a cost of $88,647.

Dorney told commissioners during their Dec. 5, 2018, meeting the radios will provide officers with three bands of frequencies to communicate with Lehigh County 911 Communications Center, Parkland School District, the City of Allentown, and the City of Bethlehem.

“In times of critical incidents that cross jurisdictions, communication is always the largest obstacle to overcome,” Dorney said. “These radios will give South Whitehall police the ability to overcome these obstacles, leading to increased officer safety and better service to our community.

“This is half what we’ll eventually need.”

Along with the tri-band radios, the cost includes bay chargers, spare batteries and lapel microphones.

Dorney was advised to see whether any savings would accrue right away.

During the Dec. 19, 2018, meeting, Dorney reported the department could obtain 28 more radios at a cost of $112,368.

He said the township could save $26,000 if these are ordered by the end of the year.

Commissioners agreed to move ahead with the full amount of radios to benefit from the savings.

In other business, commissioners approved timing adjustments for traffic signals at the intersection of Mauch Chunk and Scherersville roads; Mauch Chunk Road, Girard Avenue, and Pirma Avenue; Tilghman Street and Parkway Road; and Hamilton Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue.

The work will be funded by the Green Light Go program. The adjustments are expected to improve traffic flow.

In addition, commissioners awarded a bid of $209,983 to Custer Excavating of Palmyra, for a drainage project at Broadway and Schaeffer Street.

Work is expected to begin in the spring.